Line Combos: 2018 -2019 Line/D Pairing discussions & proposals - II

[Mainehockey33]

JFK at his best was still vanilla ice cream. He didn’t create that many solid chances and the line got hemmed in their own zone too much, even recently. If he was producing more then that would be one thing but I think it’s time to try something new. I thought Frederic looked better in camp but apparently that doesn’t mean anything lol.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Maybe. Might be a rule too, if you play X games you get the 5 days. I don't know.

It’s a rule. According to Dom, Cehlarik was the only one that didn’t get the break because he didn’t play enough games.

 

[BruinDust]

If you don't send down JFK, who are YOU putting thru waivers?

I'd waive Acciari, I wouldn't just drive him to Providence myself, I drive right past Providence on the way to Atlanta to play for the Gladiators of the ECHL.

Provided JFK would stay in the line-up. I wouldn't do that if he was slated to watch from upstairs. He needs to play somewhere.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I'd waive Acciari, I wouldn't just drive him to Providence myself, I drive right past Providence on the way to Atlanta to play for the Gladiators of the ECHL.

Provided JFK would stay in the line-up. I wouldn't do that if he was slated to watch from upstairs. He needs to play somewhere.

I’m not one of those who think we need bruisers in the lineup, but at least when Acciari plays it looks like his pulse gets over 80. The 4th line has been great for awhile and I wouldn’t change it.

 

[BruinDust]

I am sympathetic to sending JFK down right now given how much he has been improving. But, its also not like he has taken the world by storm either. I'm sure they messaged it well to JFK. Frederic being PPG for a dozen games down there certainly deserves a look. This isn't just about BIG GOOD SOFT BAD caveman whatever.

That being said, I do think that when your primary advantage over your probable first round opponent... and your clearest path to beating TB... is by being big and controlling the puck on the cycle...well...maybe you should do that. Bruins ain't gonna out-skill Tampa or Toronto anytime soon, no matter what trades they make.

Well that's it really. For better or worse the Bruins management have decided that they really have no method of making this team better at scoring goals off the rush or from range, so they'll embrace what they are, a bigger, slower defensively strong team.

I don't think that will work come playoff time. You can't hold off fast skilled teams like TB and Toronto for a full 60 mins. And you still need some skill and speed to gain zone entries with possession, the dump-in chase game is fairly ineffective here in 2019.

But looks like they've chosen their path. Good luck to them.

 

[Blowfish]

Carlo????

He's been lights out IMO. He's taken his game to another level.

I agree that theres an argument for Moore over Killer or Gryz. But Carlo?? No way!

I'm starting to think Chara? He's been brutal since he's been back.

 

[BruinDust]

I’m not one of those who think we need bruisers in the lineup, but at least when Acciari plays it looks like his pulse gets over 80. The 4th line has been great for awhile and I wouldn’t change it.

That's the crux of the problem, their sending guys down who are better players to keep a &^%&&&* 4th line together? I don't get his fascination with permanent 4th lines from the management team, the coaches, or this fan-base.

Did the Caps have some legendary 4th line last year? How about the Penguins? Or the Blackhawks?

How many truly memorable 4th lines have their been really?

The 4th line should be where your swapping guys in and out, keeping players on their toes and competing for playing time. Not envisioning some Merlot line 3.0 (or is it 4.0, or 5.0 I've lost count).

 

[Blowfish]

Exactly, nothing against Frederic but why was JFK the fall guy? Especially considering Kuraly has looked much better as the 4th line LW. They won’t use Backes there so we sent down a young guy gaining confidence and improving so they can keep rolling out Acciari and keep this ridiculous vaunted energy line intact?

I know some people think I’m nuts constantly ragging on 4th line grinder types but this is the kind of short-sighted crap I’ve come to expect from this management group. All in the pursuit of a style of play from yesteryear.

Bad enough they has the lowest shooting % I believe in the NHL. Frederic isn’t exactly fleet of foot, neither is Cehlarik.

Are the Boston Bruins the slowest group of forwards in the NHL?

I think its a safe bet to say its the slowest Bottom 6 in the league as currently constructed.

Are you saying Frederic is a grinder dude? BTW Frederic is probably faster than that of JFK and Donato so you can say the bruins just got faster.

 

[Mainehockey33]

That's the crux of the problem, their sending guys down who are better players to keep a &^%&&&* 4th line together? I don't get his fascination with permanent 4th lines from the management team, the coaches, or this fan-base.

Did the Caps have some legendary 4th line last year? How about the Penguins? Or the Blackhawks?

How many truly memorable 4th lines have their been really?

The 4th line should be where your swapping guys in and out, keeping players on their toes and competing for playing time. Not envisioning some Merlot line 3.0 (or is it 4.0, or 5.0 I've lost count).

I don’t agree. The 4th line has been better than the middle 6 for a majority of the last month and have contributed to wins. I don’t think they should be messing with that so that a prospect might start playing better.

The 4th currently gets a lot of offensive zone time and creates energy with their physical play. JFK has looked ok recently but he’s far from being an energy guy and he’d probably do the opposite. I don’t see him fitting with Kuraly and Wagner’s style.

To me, guys like JFK and definitely Donato are tweeners. Just not ready for the NHL full time. Can’t wait to see how Frederic does. He could have a positive effect on Heinen and hopefully Backes.

 

[BruinDust]

Are you saying Frederic is a grinder dude? BTW Frederic is probably faster than that of JFK and Donato so you can say the bruins just got faster.

Unless his skating has drastically improved from what I saw in pre-season he isn't faster than JFK. He's an average skater IMO, and yeah, he could very well turn into a 3rd/4th line grinding center when it's all said and done.

I like Frederic, a lot actually, but lets not pretend that he has some sort of high level offensive skill-set or is fleet of foot.

 

[BruinDust]

I don’t agree. The 4th line has been better than the middle 6 for a majority of the last month and have contributed to wins. I don’t think they should be messing with that so that a prospect might start playing better.

The 4th currently gets a lot of offensive zone time and creates energy with their physical play. JFK has looked ok recently but he’s far from being an energy guy and he’d probably do the opposite. I don’t see him fitting with Kuraly and Wagner’s style.

To me, guys like JFK and definitely Donato are tweeners. Just not ready for the NHL full time. Can’t wait to see how Frederic does. He could have a positive effect on Heinen and hopefully Backes.

JFK can play in the NHL, what exactly are you watching?

If he's not ready, Acciari was never ready, yet he's been employed here for almost 4 years now.

Don't expect Frederic to make any significant difference to the production of Heinen or Backes.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Unless his skating has drastically improved from what I saw in pre-season he isn't faster than JFK. He's an average skater IMO, and yeah, he could very well turn into a 3rd/4th line grinding center when it's all said and done.

I like Frederic, a lot actually, but lets not pretend that he has some sort of high level offensive skill-set or is fleet of foot.

Let’s also not pretend JFK has a high level offensive skill set. JFK wasn’t doing much in Providence before his call up or last year. Frederic has put up some points recently at least.

 

[Mainehockey33]

JFK can play in the NHL, what exactly are you watching?

If he's not ready, Acciari was never ready, yet he's been employed here for almost 4 years now.

Don't expect Frederic to make any significant difference to the production of Heinen or Backes.

I’m watching a player that wouldn’t be good enough for a playoff run. He didn’t do enough offensively and he did nothing physically. He just didn’t have much impact on games most of the time.

 

[BruinDust]

Let’s also not pretend JFK has a high level offensive skill set. JFK wasn’t doing much in Providence before his call up or last year. Frederic has put up some points recently at least.

What does that have to do with anything?

Anyways, enjoy your team built to win hockey games 20 years ago. Give me a call when they get a management team that knows how to build a forward group designed to win in the modern NHL.

 

[Mainehockey33]

What does that have to do with anything?

Anyways, enjoy your team built to win hockey games 20 years ago. Give me a call when they get a management team that knows how to build a forward group designed to win in the modern NHL.

JFK would be eaten alive by guys like Kadri in the playoffs. He just wasn’t good enough and JFK wasn’t playing better than anyone on the 4th. Maybe Acciari but Nordstrom is coming back soon so that likely means Acciari is gone too.

 

[smack66]

and somehow acciari remains with the big club. I simply dont get how this guy has a job in the nhl..

 

[BruinDust]

JFK would be eaten alive by guys like Kadri in the playoffs. He just wasn’t good enough and JFK wasn’t playing better than anyone on the 4th. Maybe Acciari but Nordstrom is coming back soon so that likely means Acciari is gone too.

JFK is a better player than Backes, Nordstrom, and Acciari lately. Acciari literally goes a full calendar year between primary assists. Backes is awful.

Meanwhile JFK has 4 pts. in his last 9 games, included at least 2 primary assists, and has been a minus player just once in his last 14 games. So he's clearly not getting hemmed in as much as you think.

Anyways agree to disagree I'm not going to change your viewpoint on this.

 

[Mainehockey33]

JFK is a better player than Backes, Nordstrom, and Acciari lately. Acciari literally goes a full calendar year between primary assists. Backes is awful.

Meanwhile JFK has 4 pts. in his last 9 games, included at least 2 primary assists, and has been a minus player just once in his last 14 games. So he's clearly not getting hemmed in as much as you think.

Anyways agree to disagree I'm not going to change your viewpoint on this.

I don’t really disagree that he’s better than Backes or Acciari, I just don’t see him doing much on wing. He wasn’t good on Krejci’s wing earlier.

I could be wrong, who knows but I’m a fan of the move. I think TF’s size is a welcome change to the 3rd line. Not a fan of Backes there but who knows. I know Cehlarik looked good with TF in camp so if they get a RW for Krejci I’d like to see

Heinen-Frederic-Cehlarik

 

[LouJersey]

Exactly, nothing against Frederic but why was JFK the fall guy? Especially considering Kuraly has looked much better as the 4th line LW. They won’t use Backes there so we sent down a young guy gaining confidence and improving so they can keep rolling out Acciari and keep this ridiculous vaunted energy line intact?

I know some people think I’m nuts constantly ragging on 4th line grinder types but this is the kind of short-sighted crap I’ve come to expect from this management group. All in the pursuit of a style of play from yesteryear.

Bad enough they has the lowest shooting % I believe in the NHL. Frederic isn’t exactly fleet of foot, neither is Cehlarik.

Are the Boston Bruins the slowest group of forwards in the NHL?

I think its a safe bet to say its the slowest Bottom 6 in the league as currently constructed.

That’s an issue. They draft these skill guys, then .....

Can’t play them on the 4th line heaven forfend. Bruins have done this forever it seems.

Can’t play them on the 3rd line, they are 100 foot players in the offensive end, can’t have them learn on the job.

Leaves top6

Wait, five of the top six is here 3 years minimum.

 

[BruinDust]

I don’t really disagree that he’s better than Backes or Acciari, I just don’t see him doing much on wing. He wasn’t good on Krejci’s wing earlier.

I could be wrong, who knows but I’m a fan of the move. I think TF’s size is a welcome change to the 3rd line. Not a fan of Backes there but who knows. I know Cehlarik looked good with TF in camp so if they get a RW for Krejci I’d like to see

Heinen-Frederic-Cehlarik

I wouldn't put him on the wing, that I agree with. JFK looked awful as a winger. I'd use him at C or not at all.

But they have depth issues at C.

Kuraly is a better LW (alot better IMO) than he is a C.

Acciari can play C but he's Acciari.

Backes I'd use at C but Cassidy won't.

They don't like Wagner in the middle either.

Nordstrom isn't a center IMO.

Neither is Heinen.

So why not keep JFK and bring up Frederic, let them battle it out to see who centers which of the two bottom lines? Frederic would look just fine IMO with Kuraly on his LW and Wagner on his RW. That's a 4th line I could actually get behind.

 

[Mainehockey33]

That’s an issue. They draft these skill guys, then .....

Can’t play them on the 4th line heaven forfend. Bruins have done this forever it seems.

Can’t play them on the 3rd line, they are 100 foot players in the offensive end, can’t have them learn on the job.

Leaves top6

Wait, five of the top six is here 3 years minimum.

Why play guys like Donato and JFK on the 4th line when they don’t have as big of an impact as the guys there now? The best thing for them is to get big minutes in Providence to work on those skills, because if they were ready they wouldn’t be sent down.

Donato had no impact on a game if he didn’t score.

JFK had a few points but didn’t show enough offense to justify a top 9 spot imo. That whole line couldn’t do much in the offensive zone outside a few great plays.

 

[BruinDust]

That’s an issue. They draft these skill guys, then .....

Can’t play them on the 4th line heaven forfend. Bruins have done this forever it seems.

Can’t play them on the 3rd line, they are 100 foot players in the offensive end, can’t have them learn on the job.

Leaves top6

Wait, five of the top six is here 3 years minimum.

I can't explain their thought process Lou. Guess they are still believers in a strictly defined Top 6/Bottom 6 like it's still 2004.

Meanwhile the 3 most likely opponents in the playoffs (TB/Mtl/Tor) are all running 3 scoring lines.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I wouldn't put him on the wing, that I agree with. JFK looked awful as a winger. I'd use him at C or not at all.

But they have depth issues at C.

Kuraly is a better LW (alot better IMO) than he is a C.

Acciari can play C but he's Acciari.

Backes I'd use at C but Cassidy won't.

They don't like Wagner in the middle either.

Nordstrom isn't a center IMO.

Neither is Heinen.

So why not keep JFK and bring up Frederic, let them battle it out to see who centers which of the two bottom lines? Frederic would look just fine IMO with Kuraly on his LW and Wagner on his RW. That's a 4th line I could actually get behind.

Kuraly and Wagner are both high tempo players so I think Nordstrom compliments them better than JFK. Agree to disagree I guess.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I can't explain their thought process Lou. Guess they are still believers in a strictly defined Top 6/Bottom 6 like it's still 2004.

Meanwhile the 3 most likely opponents in the playoffs (TB/Mtl/Tor) are all running 3 scoring lines.

That’s not it at all. I don’t think JFK is the best choice for the fourth line or any line. To me he’s just not good enough yet. If JFK could center a scoring line he wouldn’t be sent down.

 

[BruinDust]

Kuraly and Wagner are both high tempo players so I think Nordstrom compliments them better than JFK. Agree to disagree I guess.

Well if Wagner and Kuraly are doing their thing on the forecheck, the 3rd guy shouldn't be in there most of the time anyways, someone has to stay out high. JFK can do that just fine.

Doesn't matter I guess, the Bruins management team has their antiquated philosophy to roster composition so who am I to argue with those geniuses.